THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 153

G. Could steam vessels be used advantageously by shippers, and is there any probability of their being used? There appears no probability of steam vessels being used. Steamships rarely deviate from their regular line of trade, and there being little demand for Indian produce in the Australian Colonies, a return cargo would not easily be obtained. When sailing ships are employed in the horse service, the owners anticipate obtaining cargo at Indian ports for England.

H. The local opinion regarding the horses of each run, and the reason advanced pro and con.—Opinions are formed from the breed and character of the sires used, and not of horses of individual runs; but it is a common opinion that those produced near the sea board do not possess feet so good as others. My experience does not confirm this. It is also generally supposed, and probably with reason, that horses bred in hilly countries are hardier than those bred on plains.

J. Are inquiries made about Arab stallions, and if so, where? What prices would be paid for really good ones?—Arabs are at the present time in great demand, and principally in New South Wales. Those with character commanding as much as seven hundred pounds.

K. The general treatment of the stock.—Those bred for ordinary purposes are never afforded protection, and have no artificial food; either have extensive runs, well watered, or are confined in large paddocks, measuring from 1,000 to 20,000 acres, which are also well watered. Thorough-bred stock are usually allowed artificial food during the winter months, and on a few stations sheds have been erected for their protection from rain.

L. Particular good or bad points apparent in them. —Individuality cannot be given, since I have failed to detect any specially good or bad point predominating; but I may be allowed to mention here that I cannot concur in the general opinion that "Walers," as a class, possess the habits of "buck jumping." All domesticated horses, including stallions, I have observed to be very docile, and I have not the least doubt that "buck jumping" is entirely the result of the hurried and imperfect mode of breaking so generally practised with young horses intended for the Indian market. Sufficient time is not allowed for instruction, submission being enforced, and not taught, and when opportunity arises, opposition or resentment is shown.

M. Can good stallions and mares be procured fit for producing in India large boned and well bred remounts? Their prices, the probable number now procurable or obtainable on due notice.—Stallions can be obtained possessing every good qualification for producing in India large boned and well bred remounts; and some might be purchased during a short visit to the Colonies of Victoria and New South Wales, at prices varying from £300 to £500 each. I would, however, beg to suggest that colts of un-doubted pedigree and qualifications should be pur-chased as yearlings or two year's old, and such might be obtained at an average of £150. Matured horses of high class not unfrequently command prices

varying from £1,000 to £1,500. Mares of good descent and possessing size and power, of three years old and upwards, might be selected at stations at £50 each. I imagine that twenty stallions and 100 mares might be obtained without much notice.

N. State the prices given for stallions imported from England, and the quality of the imported horses you see.—Imported English stallions have realized upwards of £3,000 in the colonies, and on one occasion £6,000. They are horses of undeniable blood and great racing qualities, but are not equal in size and strength to many of the colonial thorough-bred sires. The quality of the imported sires that I have seen has been more fully detailed in my monthly reports.

O. What number of mares is a stallion allowed to serve per season and per diem.—The usual number per season is fifty, but in a few instances as many as seventy. The daily number is governed by circum-stances, sometimes two or even three being in season at the same time, and the succeeding few days there may not be one. In many studs the number of mares does not exceed thirty per horse.

P. The relative prices of mares and geldings, broken and unbroken, home-bred and run-bred.— The relative prices of mares and geldings may be computed at 15 per cent. less for mares than geldings. For broken colts a scale cannot be laid down; for when, in breaking, any special qualification should be shown, for instance, fast trotting or capabilities of jumping,—the price proportionately increases; but with the ordinary class of horse at four years old, thoroughly broken, would fetch 25 per cent. more than the same horse unbroken. No difference in value exists between home-bred and run-bred colts; in fact such a distinction is scarcely recognized, as at certain periods the stock are brought in from runs and paddocked. Thorough-bred stock may, however, be considered home-bred.

16. Finally, the conclusions I have arrived at are:
    —That the class of horses exported to India and submitted as remounts for the Army during the last few years is by no means a representation of the horse produced in Australia. That in the Colonies of Victoria and New South Wales no diminution has taken place in the number of horses bred. That more attention is now paid than formerly to the subject of horse-breeding. The constant im-portation of English sires, and the increasing number of thorough-bred stock, must tend to the continued and improved supply of remounts for the army in India, so long as the market for that supply offers sufficient remuneration. The system of pur-chasing in India by Remount Agents of experience, and at prices in accordance with value, would appear to insure a regular supply. The maximum prices allowed by Government I consider remunerative for horses for the several branches of the service. I would, however, respectfully and urgently recommend that the division into three classes of horses required for the Army be discontinued, and that one class only be adhered to as much as possible. The in-terests of the State would thus be much better served, as I conceive that a horse well adapted for Horse Artillery serving in India should possess as much breeding as one fitted for Cavalry; that a Cavalry horse to carry a Dragoon in marching order satisfactorily, should possess strength as well as breeding; and that a Field Artillery horse should not be confined to one suitable only for draught. In short, horses of medium height, with breeding, well formed chests and legs, and proper development of muscle, equally fitted for riding or the light draught of Horse or Field Artillery, would suffer less from climate, privation, or forced marches, and per-form the work of each branch of the service most